Assig-noh



H. K. CLOVER.

ELECTHICALLY HEATED FAUCET.

APPLICATION FILED 1UNE 18, 191B.-

' 1 ,3 13,51 9. Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

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al cl/ ,5K/s 4 Tron/vir.

cnt-nca ELEG'lmCALLYf-HEATEB FAUCE'.

Leiaeia Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Ang. le, 1%19@ .Application lef .Tune 18, E318, Serial No.,340,576.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, l-lovmnn K. CLovnR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State ofCalifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrically-Heated Faucets, of which the following is a specification. l

This invention relates to improvements in electric heaters of the faucettype such as embodied in my patent for electric water heater, issuedJanuary 8, 19l8, No. 1,252,661. The primary object of the invention isto incorporate with a faucet an electric heater and to provide anelectrically heated faucet of such construction and arrangement thatwater or the like as it passes through the faucet, will be effectivelyheated.. Another of the' objects of the invention is to provide a faucetof the above-mentioned character in which the heating element may bereadily removed and replaced without necessitating a completedisassembling of the faucet.

A further object is to provide an electric .water heater with whichWater or the like may be heated to different temperatures at Will.

Another yobjectl of the invention is to provide an electrically heatedfaucet in which the circuit controlling means for the heating element isapart from the valve .and heating element and is not subjectvto injurydue to the possibility of water or moisture coming into contact v-J'tlithe controlling means. i

The invention further consists in the novel and useful provision,formation, combination, relative arrangement of parts, members andfeatures, all as hereinafter described, shown in the drawings and nallypointed out in claims; all taken in consideration with simplicity andinexpensiveness in con struction and organization, together withfacility in assemblage or disassernblage and adaptability to variousworking conditions., Other objects and advantages will appear during thecourse of the following description: i

In the drawings:

Figure l represents a vertical sectional view taken on line mi r1 ofFig. 8 of an electrically heated faucet constructed in Vag., cordancewith my invention;

Fig. '2 represents a horizontal sectional view taken on line ce2-m2 ofFigi l;

Fig. 3 represents a top plan View;

Fig. Llrepresents a cross-sectional view taken on line ast-m4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 represents an enlarged cross-see tional view talren on the line:HL- of Fig., 2;

Fig 6 represents a vertical sectional view of the valve;

Fig. 7 represents a cross-sectional view of the valve,l being taken online :c7-m7 of Fig, 6;

Fig. 8 represents a detail plan view of the auxiliary valve;

Fig.` 9 represents a fragmentary detail side elevation of a modifiedform of valve showing a part broken away and the valve seat in section;

lFig. l() is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 21o-m10 of Fig. 9;and v Fig. 1l is a detail top plan view of the heating element holder.

Referring particularlyl to the drawings, A designates as an entirety afaucet provided with a body B, spout C, valve D, valve handle E, heatingelement housing F, connection member G of the housing, circuitcontrolling means H associated with the housing, guard means d"cooperating with the controlling means, auxiliary means K controlled bymovement of the valve D, safety valve L in the housing G, and heatingelement M mounted in the housing F therefor. These elements constitutethe essential ieatures of the invention and their particularconstruction in each case will be later more fully described.

'lhe body B of the faucet is in the form of a casting and is preferablyannular, although it may be of any suitable shape. This body is formedwith a central valve seat l ywhich is of snbstantially cylindrical anddepending from the periphery of the body is an annular iiange 2. .Thescout C projects outwardly :from the periphery of the body communicateswith the passage 3 formed through the body and wall of the valve seat l.Ylhe valve D is tapered downwardly and the l. therefor iscorrespondingly tapered. passage 4- is formed in the valve D and en dsvertically from the bottom of the valve upwardlyl te a point midway thethen lll@ branches outwardly laterally into hbt and cold water passages5 and4 6 respectively, each lateral branching passage opening throughthe side of the valve and adapted for registration with the passage 3and spout C. The hot water passage is restricted at its discharge endyand is considerably smaller at this vpint than the entrance end of thepassage?) so as to prevent a rapid flow of liquid from the valve .to thepassage, whereas the cold water passage 6 is substantially the same`'size as the passage 3. and permits a relatively greater flow of liquidwhen in registration with said passage. The discharge ends of thesepassages'are spaced so that either may bel brought into registrationwith the passage 3.` The upper end of the valve D is annularly recessedas at 7 and has a stem 8.- A helical expansion sprin 9 is mounted withinsaid recess, surroim s the stem 8 and abuts the inner .face of a flangecap 10, which cap is internally screw-threaded and turned upon ascrewthreaded upper end of the valve seat 1. The stem 8 extends upwardlythrough the cap 10 and is reduced as at 11 near its upper end,saidvreduced portion extending through the opening 12 in the center ofthe handle E. The extreme upper end ofthe valve is again reduced as at13 and screw-threaded to receive a screw cap 14: which holds the handlein place. The'spring 9 tends to force the valve D downwardly and holdsthe valve securely in its seat in such manner that no packing is neededto prevent leakage.

The housing Ffcomprises a cup-shaped body portion 15, the sidesof whichare recessed exteriorly and screw-threaded as at 16 adjacent their upperedges so as to re- ,ceive the screw-threaded flange 2 of the body B andto dispose the outer faces of the flange and sides of the body 15 inflush relation. The body -B and housing F provide a chamber which shallbe generally designated N and hereinafter referred to as the heatingchamber. The valve seat 1 extends into this chamber for a considerabledistance. vThe connection G is in the form of an exteriorly4screw-threaded boss 17 and isprovided with a central passage 18. Thisboss or connection is secured to a water or fluid pipe, not shown, byhaving threaded engagement therewith and the passage 18 through theconnection communicates with the heating chamber N. lntermediate theendsl'of the passage 18there is provided a valve seat 19 for the valveL. This valve issupported upon a spider 2G and has a stem 21 whichextends upwardly through the passage and into the heating chamber N. Anexpansion spring 22 is mounted upon the valve stem and interposedbetween the valve and the spider 20, said spring at all times 'tendingto urge the valve upwardly. The valve is held l in .open however, byengagement of the'stem 21 with some portion of the heating element aswill be later more fully described. Upon the removal of the heatingelement the valve L will close und'er the action ofthe spring 22 andpressure of the water in the passage 18. The closing of this valve isnecessary in order to prevent waste ofwater when disassembling thefaucet.

As a means for permitting the passage of water in a relatively largevolume to the chamber N and from thence through the valve to the spout Cthere is provided a passage 23 which is formed in the body 15 of thehousin F in the bottom wall of said housing. his passage communicateswith the passage 18 in the connection G at a point be-l tween the upperend of the passage 18 and the valve seat 19, and also communicates witha vertical passage' 21 which is an extension of the passage 23 in theside wall of the body 15. The passage 24 terminates in an opening formedthrough the upper side of the wall 15 and is communicated with theheating chamber N through a port 25 formed in the auxiliary valve K.This port 25 is preferably T-sliaped, the head lying in registrationwitli the passage .24 and the stem l thereof providing for communicationof the passage 24 with the chamber N.

The valve K comprises a. substantially horizontal and flat ring plate26, which is slidably mounted upon the upper edge of the side wall ofthe body 15 and has an inward extension which lterminates at a point ad"jacent to the seat 1, and is then directed downwardly as at 27 and theninwardly laterallv terminating in a ring-like portion 2.8 which issuitably secured to the lower end of the valve D. In this connection itwill be noted that the valve D extends below the lower end of the seatand is reduced as at 29 so as to receive the portion 28. The connectionof the valve K with the valve l) is for the purpose of operating thevalve K simultaneously with the operation of the valve D, and it will benoted that when the valve D is Closedl the valve K is open, whereas whenthe valve D is opened the valve K is closed. However, it is possible toopen the valve D slightly and likewise only partially close the valve K.The particular operation and advantage' of this arrangement will belater more fully described. To protect the valve D from shrinkage orimproper seating, due to the action of heat, the inner face of the bodyB is lined with insulation material 30. A preferably annular andcupshaped heating element holder 31 is mounted within the chamber N.This holder 31 is provided with two concentric walls 32 and 33 betweenwhich is provided` the main pornient and said member is constructed. oflas insulation material so as `to prevent the metal of the faucet frombecoming heated to too eat an extent. The holder 31 engages tdile stem21 of the valve L so as to hold said valve open, and upon the removal ofthe holder 31 the valve will be closed by the action of the spring,shutting off the supply of water to the chamber N and avoiding waste.The bottom wall of the body 15 is counter-bored or recessed as at 34 soas to provide a passage or interspace '35 vthrough which liquid assesfrom the pasv sage 18 into the cham er N. The bottom wall of the holder31 is rovided at points between the walls 32 andp 33 withopemngs orperforations 36 which establish communication of the inter-space 35 withthe chamber N. The upper edge o .the wall 3 3 is spaced from theinsulation linin so Sulliciently to provide-the passage 37, w c hpassage communicates the chamber N with an annular passage 38. Thepassage 38 is substantially L shaped and is provided by the spacing ofthe wall 33 from. the valve seat 1 and the spacing of the valve seatfrom the bottom of the holder 31.`

The heating element M is in the form. of a helical annular coil of somesuitable high resistance wire and its ends are connected respectivelywith terminal members 39* and 40. These terminal members extend from theunderside of the body 15 into the chamber Nfor connection with theheating ele- .nent and are connected by conductors 41 with the circuitcontrolling means or closer Il.. The housing F includes as'an integralpart of the body 15 an extension 43 of said body which provides achamber 44 for housinof the means H and J. Mounted within this chamber44 is an insulation body member 45 which supports four upright contactmembers 46 of thev circuit'closing means.

These contact members are secured in placeA iy bolts 47 and 48.The'contact members are arranged in` pairs opposite to one another andthe conductors 41 and 42 are connected with the bolts `47 which hold thecontact members 46 nearestI to vthe body 15, whereas conductors 49 and50 which lead from a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown,are connected' with the bolts 48 for holding the othercontacts 46. lAhorizontal switch bolt 51 is slidably mounted upon a base52 formed onthe body 45 and extends outwardly i through' openings 53 formed onoppositesides of the walls of the extension 43..- Infthis connection itwill be noted' that the extension is preferably oit' rectilinearoutline. On the ends of the bolt 5.1 arer mounted buttons 54 and 55being respectively the 4on and off buttons. The bolt 51 is mounted forreciprocation and carries .transverse arms 56 and 57 there being Contactmembers 58 on the ends of the arms, said contactmembers being adaptedfor contact with the contacts 46, and the arms 56 and 57 are preferablyof spring material so as' to insure positive engagement of the contacts.Movement of the switch bolt 51 in one direction caused by pushing in theon button 54 will cause the contacts 58 to engage the contacts 46 andclose the circuit. Movement opposite .to this of the bolt 51 caused bypushing in the loff button 55 will move the contacts 58 out ofengagement with the contacts 46 and: break the circuit for the heatingelement M.

The means J is provided for guarding against operation of the circuitcloser H when the valve D is in closed position. This means comprises anL-shaped locking plate 59 which is mounted in the housing 4:3 in

such manner as to prevent the button 54 from being pushed inwardly, thatis, the circuit from being closed. This plate 59 is carried upon 'avertically disposed pin 60 which is extended through an opening 61 inthe insulation base 45 and is provided with a head 62- engaging saidbase. The

pin extends upwardly through the chamber 44 and a closure plate 63 whichis mounted upon the extension 43 and held in place by suitable fasteningelements 64. The upper end of the `pin is rounded as at 65 and isnormally disposed at a point above the level of the closure plate 63. Ahelical expansion spring 66 is mounted upon the pin' 60 and abuts theplate 59 at its upper end and the switch bar 51 at its lower end. Thereis provided a slot 67 in said. switch bar for the reception of the pin60. In this connection it will be noted that the switch bar is providedwith slots 68 near its ends and fastening elements 69 are insertedthrough the slots `and body 45 to secure the switch bar in place. Theplate 59 is so positioned upon the pin 60 that the shorter leg 59Lthereof is adapted for coperation with a screw 99 which is provided forholding the arm 56 upon the bar 51 and passes through said arm, andinsulation material 7 0,4which latter 'is interposed between the arm 56and switch bar. There is provided another such -screw 99 forsecuring thebar 57 in place'.

As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings in full lines the switch is in onposition` and the locking plate 59 is in up position so that the screw99 will clear the leg 598L of the L-shaped bar 59 when the switch ismoved to oil' position. At this time, as will be later more fullydescribed, the leg 59a 'is moved downwardly to a point rearwardly of thescrew 99 and serves to prevent inovement of the switch bar and supportedparts, into position so that the circuit will be closed. The valvehandle. E is provided with a rearward and downwardly curved extension 72and thev free end of this extension is provided with a cam head 73,which, when the valve handle is moved into position to close iio thevalve D, will engage the rounded upper end of the 'pin 60 and force saidpin together with the locking plate 59 downwardly against the action ofthe s ring 66 so that the leg 59* of the locking p ate will be disposed'back of the screw 99 and revent movement of the switch bar into onposition. When the valve handle is moved into on position the head 73moves from engagement with the pin 6() and the spring 66 then forces thepin 60 and`locking late 59 into up position, freeing the loc 'png plateand allowing the switch to be moved into on position.

In the operation of the faucet assuming that the valve D is closed andthe parts are in the positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of thedrawings, the extension 72 of the handle E is in such position that thehead Y 73 holds the pin 60 depressed and the locking plate 59 in lockingposition so thatit will not be possible to closev the circuit for theheating element. v

By turning the valve handle to the left so that it is over the pdesignation Hot which is stamped -or otherwise appears upon the body Bof the faucet, the valve D is opened and the hot water passage 5 broughtinto registration with the passage 3 of the spout C. The water or otherfluid will readily flow from the chamber N through the passage 37 at theupper side of the chamber, passage 38 and central valve passage 4 of thehot water valve passage 5.

In this connection it will be noted that the heating element and chamberare under the pressure of the water or other liquid supplied thereto,'at all times. The llquid enters the faucet through the connectionpassage 18 and passes therefrom through the passage 35 in the bottom of.the housing F, openin 36 in the bottom wall of the heating eementholder 31, and into the chamber N. From the chamber N theliquid passesthrough the passages 37 and. 38 and up through the passage 4 ofthe-.valve'D.

It will thus be seen that the water pressure? of the feed pipe ismaintained in the faucet 4at all. times. In addition to this, whenl thevalve. D is closed the auxiliary valve K is opened and liquid (passesthrough the passages 23 and 24 an the valve port 25 ylnto the chamber N.

Assuming that the valve D is open, as above described, the head 73 ofthe handle extension 72 has moved from engagement with the pin 60 andthe latter together with the locking plate 59 are in up sition as lshownin Fig, 5 of the drawing. e o erator may then close the circuit for theeating element M by pushing the button'54 in wardly. This action movesthe contacts 58 into engagement with the stationary ntacts 46, and inthis way closes the circuit.

heating chamber sufficiently long to provide for a thorough heatingthereof. By turning off the heating element cold water will run throughthe faucet and it will .be seen that hot or cold lwater may be had atwill by a proper manipulation of the switch. If desired, the handle Emay be moved to the right so as toibring the cold lwater passage 6 ofthe valve into registration with the spout passage 3. This provides fora larger volume of. water to discharge from the faucet. The switch maybe closed Iso as to operate the heating element at this time as well aswhen the hot water outlet is in registration with the spout. At the timethat the handle E is moved to open the valve the valve K iscorrespondingly moved and when the valve D is opened to its full extentby movement of the handle in either direction, the valve K closes, thatis, the port 25 in said valve moves completely out ,of registration withthe passage 24. When the valve D is partially open the valve K is onlypartially closed and water is all-owed to pass through the passages 23and 24 and the valve port 25 into the chamber N. In4 this way the waterheated in the chamber N will rise, pass through the valve port 25 andpassages 24 and 23 into the passage 18 which leads to the chamber N byway of the passage 34 and openings 36. `The provision of thiscirculatlon of water is highly desirable in order to provide for anexpeditious heating ofthe water without the possibility of burning outthe heating element or otherwise injuring the faucet. By varying thedegree of opening of the valve D the temperature to which the water willbe heated 4may be correspondingly varied and in this way water may beheated to any defor the purpose of inspect-ion or repair, may

be readily accomplished by unscrewing the body B .from the housing F.When this is -done the holder 31 for the element M is removed, togetherwith said element, after the removal of the bolts 39- and 40. Uponremoval of the element 31 the valve stem 2l is freed and the valve Lmoves upwardly under the action of the spring 22 and water pressure sothat said valve is closed and waste of water is prevented.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10 wherein them for cold and hot Waterrespectively. These channels are formed by grooving or recessing thevalve longitudinally upon the outer face thereof and the channels areformed such distance apart that one may register ywith the spout 7 6while the other is out of registration with said spout. The channel 78for hot Water is smaller than the channel 77 so that the flow of waterwill be lessened when the channel 78 is in registration with the spoutand water will flow into the faucet at a eater rate than out of it inorder that an e ective and expeditious heating may be v provided.

It is to be understood that I may make minor changes in the details ofconstruction, size and proportion of parts ofthe invention, withoutdeparting from the true spirit and scope thereof as defined in theappended claims. v. y

Havin thus disclosed my inventlon, I claim and desire to-secure byLetters Patent:

1. In an electrically heated faucet, a housing having a dischargeopening, a valve to control the iow of fluid from said housing, saidhousing having a fluid intake, electric heating means in said housing, aslidably mounted circuit closer controlling the supp ly of electricalenergy to said heating means, means for operating said valve and meanslocking said circult closer j against sliding movement when the valve isclosed, said last named means permitting operation of the circuit closerupon the opening of the valve.

2. In an electrically heated faucet, a housing having an intake and anoutlet for iiuid, a valve controlling the passage of Huid from saidhousing, electric heating means in said housing, a circuit closer forcontrolling the supply of electrical ener to said'heating means andincluding a sli ably mounted reciprocating bar,l means for operatinglthe valve, and means operated by movement of the valve operating meansto prevent sliding of the circuit closer when the valve is closed andwhich permits sliding of the circuit closer when the valve is open.

3. In an electrically heated faucet, a housing having an intake openingand a discharge o ening, a valve to control the 30Wl of lfluid rom saidhousing, an electric heating element mounted Within the housing, meansto ycontrol the supply of electrical energy to said heatingzelement,means for operating said valve, said housing having a 4. In anelectrically heated faucet, a hous.- l

ing' having an intake opening and a discharge opening, a valve tocontrolthe flow of fluid from said housing, an electric heating element-mounted Within the housing, means to control the supply of electricalenergy to said heatin element, means for operating said valve, saidhousing having a bypass passage formed therein communicating at its endswith the intake opening and interior of the housing to provide for acirculation of fluid Within the housing, and a valve for controllin saidby-pass.

5. In an electrical y heated faucet a housing having an intakefopeningand a discharge opening, a valve to control the How of fluid from saidhousing, an electric'heating element mounted within the housing, meansto control the su ply of electrical energy to said heating-element,means for operating said valve, said housing having a by-pass passageformed therein communicatmg at its ends with the intake opening andinterior of the housing to provide for a circulation of fluid Within thehousing, and a valve for controlling said` by-pass; said last namedvalve being connected with and operated by movement of the first namedvalve.

6. In an electrically heated faucet, a housing having an intake openingand a discharge o ening, a valve to control the flow of fluid omv saidhousing, an electric heating element mounted Within the housing, meansto control the su ply of electrical energy to said heating eldment,means for operating said valve, said housing having a by-pass passageformed therein communicating at its ends with the intake opening andmterior of the housing to provide for a circulation of fluid Within thehousing, and a valve for controlling said by-pass; said last named valvebeing connected with and operated by movement of the firstA named valveand arranged to open said by-pass when the irst named valve is closedand acting to close said by-pass upon movement of the first named valveto open position.

7. In an electrically heated faucet, a housing having an intake and anoutlet for luid, a valve controlling the passage of fluid from saidhousing, electric'heating means in said housing, a circuit closer forcontrolling the supply of electrical energy to said heating means, meansfor operating the valve, means operated by movement of the valveoperating means to prevent operation of the circuit clcser when thevalve is closed and which ermits operation of the circuit. closer whenalle valve is open,a valve for controlling the passage of fiuid intosaid housing, said valve being held open b the housing when the same isassemble and spring means at all times tending to close said valvewhereby when the housing is disassembled the valve Will be automaticallyclosed.

8. In an electrically heated faucet, a housing in sections detachablysecured to one another, one of the; housing sections having a fluidintake, the other of said sections having a fluid outlet, a lheatingelement mounted y in the housing, a valve controlling the discharge ofHuid from the housing, means to control the supply of electrical energyto said heating element, an insulation member mounted in the housing andreceiving the heating element, a valve for controlling the intakel offluid and being normally heldopen by said insulation member, and meansfor closing the valve, acting upon removal of the insulation member.

9. In an electrically heated faucet, a houscharge of fluid 'from thehousing, and means yto control the supply of electrical energy to saidheatin element; said valve being carried by the rst named housingsection, and a valve carried by the last named section and controllingthe intake of fluid relative to the housing, said last named valve beingnormally held open, and means acting when the housing' is disassembledto close 4said last named valve.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

l HOWARD K. CLOVER.

Witnesses:

RAYMOND I. BLAKEsLnn, WILLIS S. Mrrcrmu..

